ALBION's hopes of bringing Kieran Richardson back to the Hawthorns have been given a boost - thanks to transfer activity at Manchester United.

ALBION's hopes of bringing Kieran Richardson back to the Hawthorns have been given a boost - thanks to transfer activity at Manchester United.

The Old Trafford club are closing in on PSV Eindhoven's versatile midfielder Si-Jung Park, which could free up the 20-year-old to complete his season-long loan move to Albion.

If the Red Devils are successful in signing the 24-year-old - who has expressed an interest in joining Sir Alex Ferguson's men - it is inevitable the recently-capped Richardson would fall further down United's pecking order.

Although Richardson is keen to stay at Old Trafford, he will no doubt have one eye on next year's World Cup following his displays on the recent US tour.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has already made it clear that only first-team regulars will be travelling to Germany should England qualify, which is likely to prompt Richardson to re-think his future.

Albion have also reportedly inquired about taking Tottenham's out-of-favour striker Frederic Kanoute on a season-long move to The Hawthorns, only for the north London club to dismiss the approach.

The Baggies are keen to bring in a target-man to lead their forward-line for next season and, despite the initial knock-back, Albion are likely to keep their eye on his situation - especially if Spurs bolster their own strike-force.

Kanoute has fallen out of favour at White Hart Lane and his relationship with manager Martin Jol has suffered as a result.

But sources claim the Frenchman may bide his time before making any decisions on his own future, especially with his possible availability likely to alert clubs back in his homeland and some of the Premiership's bigger hitters.

Meanwhile, Inamoto could become Albion's first representative in the World Cup for 20 years when Japan take on North Korea this afternoon.

Ina's Japan need just one more point from their final two Asian qualifying fixtures to secure their passage to the 2006 finals.

Inamoto would potentially be the first Albion player to appear in the World Cup finals since Jimmy Nicholl back in 1986.